Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Wednesday, April 27, named a seven-member advisory panel that will select his running mate in the upcoming August 9, General Election.
In a press briefing by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed announced that Raila had settled on Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, Michael Orwa and former Cabinet Minister Dr Noah Wekesa
Other members include Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa and Beatrice Askul Moe. The panel will submit a final name to the former Prime Minister after consensus on or before May 10.
In view of the foregoing and in consultation with the coalition council, Raila Odinga has appointed the several panel members to assist and advice him regarding the nomination of the party’s deputy presidential candidate.
The panel shall reach its decision through consensus and shall elect its chairperson with the panel secretary being Elizabeth Meyo.
The panelists will interview interested candidates based on three core guiding principles. First, the deputy president should have met the constitutional requirements.
Furthermore, candidates must demonstrate that they can be trusted and act in a manner that illustrates respect for Kenyans and bring dignity to the office and honor to the nation.
statement stated that candidates must show in word and deed that the nomination to the office is a responsibility to serve the people, rather than the power to rule them.
Aspirants eying to be Raila’s deputy should be people of high integrity in their private and public lives. This encompasses objectivity and impartiality in decision making.
In addition, they are expected to display selfless service, guided by public interest through honesty and declaration of any personal interest that may conflict with their public duties.
Potential candidates are needed to exemplify accountability, discipline and commitment.
The announcement comes a day after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) extended the deadline of submission of names of presidential candidates and their running mates, as well as governors with their deputies to May 16.
